Brooks Co. Boys & Girls Club closer to completion

BROOKS CO., GA (WALB) - One county is finally getting its community center that residents said has been 15 years in the making.

“It’s just so gratifying. This has been the result of years of planning and wishing and fundraising on the parts of many people to get this dream built for Brooks County," said Janie Jones, the Boys & Girls Club director.

With the teen center nearing completion, and the structure in place for the gym, the Brooks County Boys & Girls Club is more than halfway done.

Jones said that this project is an important one for the community.

“There is really not an existing youth center or teen center or children’s center other than the schools," said Jones.

And now that they will be getting one, community members are excited.

“I think that’s one reason why everybody is real excited about this, because they see the potential of it serving so much of our community," said Jones.

Jones said that the program was around years ago but ended because of complications, but now it is back and in a new building.

“It feels great. The students, we’re excited about it. We have something to do now over the summer because here in Quitman, we don’t have a lot of things to do. It’s just home and that’s it. We have a park, and that’s it. So, we don’t have like a swimming pool, we don’t have a facility to go or anywhere to spend our time," explained Jordan Rose, a Boys & Girls Club student.

Rose said that he was involved with the Boy & Girls Club programs when he was a kid, until they were forced to stop the program. He said he is glad to see the program coming back and finally getting its own facility.

“In echoes, we were supplied the building by the school but now to have our own building granted to us that we can have to ourselves is amazing," said Rose.

And although his time in the community center before college may be limited, Rose plans to use the new opportunity as a chance to give back.

“To be a Morehouse man, you have to be very involved in your community where you come from and having a Boys & Girls Club to be involved in, to give community service, it means a lot," said Rose.